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At the start of the now-completed senior men’s camp in Toronto, Jay Triano said Canada had never seen so much basketball talent under one roof.

Triano, who knows a thing or two about Canada’s hoops history wasn’t kidding.

NBA players, draft picks, NCAA and CIS stars went toe-to-toe in scrimmages and drills at the ACC and it felt like the start of something big.

Canada has a crop of talent either already here or on the way that can compete for repeated top-5 finishes down the line.

But what is also needed is passion and commitment, and this camp, consisting of about 30 players, made it clear that change is in the air.

Following the example of new general manager Steve Nash, the most accomplished player this country has ever produced, Canada’s top players have come in from the cold and embraced the program after years in the wilderness.

Even Jamaal Magloire was on hand for the first time in nearly two decades. New Magic forward Andrew Nicholson for the first time ever. Young Tyler Ennis, just 17, made sure to make an appearance, hopping off of a plane from California to be on hand.

Only Andrew Wiggins, the top prospect in the country, absent for personal and scholastic reasons, did not show.

Considering the ducking that has gone on over the past decade, the turnout was stunning.

Again, this just feels different.

“Steve and Rowan (Barrett, the assistant GM) and Jay have done a wonderful job getting guys engaged, getting them into an atmosphere where I think they’ll stay engaged,” said assistant coach Dave Smart, the Carleton head man who is the most successful coach this country has ever produced.

The passion of the top players has been a key, Smart maintains.

“It just leads to so many things for the guys who want to get to that level. The other guys also see the national team as an important thing, obviously Steve is a big part of that,” he said. “Even the NBA guys like Tristan and Andrew and Cory (Joseph), they’re guys who just buy in ... and when they buy in, then everybody buys in.”

Getting Nash back on board was the key to this renaissance.

It’s no coincidence that Canada Basketball’s fortunes slipped when Nash distanced himself from the program following Triano’s removal in 2005.

“It started with Steve, we had to get our house in order (and the) cornerstone in my mind was Steve,” said Canada Basketball CEO Wayne Parrish following Triano’s rehiring.

Suddenly, with Nash back on the scene, the top talent that had been standoffish for years, perhaps taking an “if he’s not involved, why should I be?” approach, decided to fully commit.

As well, the fundraising initiatives that had seen major progress thanks to the work of former head coach Leo Rautins and others, got a massive shot in the arm thanks to the presence one of Canada’s most famous and recognizable athletes.

Nash believes the corporate support will continue to build with the sport exploding in popularity in the country and that it will have an impact.

“In the past, it all starts with resources. If we don’t have the manpower, don’t have the resources to really communicate with the kids. If players aren’t really sure who you are or why they’d be a part of it, it’s difficult,” Nash said.

There is no confusion anymore. Whatever the reasons are, it is clear where the players stand.

“A couple of years ago, we’d be lucky to have at least five of the top guys in the country at training camp. Now, we’re building something real special here, and guys are realizing that,” said Thompson, the fourth pick in the 2011 draft.

“The energy and the vibe is unbelievable right now,” added Toronto’s Myck Kabongo.

The trick from here will be riding that wave into next summer, when the team will attempt to qualify for the 2014 worlds in Spain, ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

How will Triano and Co. go about that?

“To continue that relationship and build that relationship throughout the year wherever they are. Whether they’re on NBA teams, playing overseas or in the NCAA or CIS, we want to make sure we build a relationship with them so that next year they’re used to me, we’re used to them, they’re going to come in and work hard,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody’s here because they don’t want to be here. Them being here now in a summer where there’s no competition (is) a huge sign.”

One that many have been waiting an awfully long time to see.

BUMPER CROP

It will take a while given the age of most of Canada’s top prospects, but the country has never had as much emerging talent as it does now. Here’s what the 2016 Olympic roster in Rio de Janeiro might look like.